13 Truth

When Jacob came over for the first time, Chelsea sequestered him in her room for a little chat. He sat on her bed and asked what she wanted to talk about.

“You never told me the comics are real!” Chelsea said.

Jacob avoided her blazing eyes. “What comics?”

“You know what comics,” Chelsea said. “Your comics. The ones you made for me. Tell me the truth. Phantom is real. All of the ghosts are real.”

Jacob sighed. “Yeah, it’s real.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I… I don’t–”

“You don’t know?”

“Wait a minute,” Jacob said, “how did you find out?”

It was Chelsea’s turn to look away. “I… saw Phantom out of my window.”

Jacob frowned. “You’re lying.”

“No, I’m not! You never answered my question.”

“What question?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Chelsea repeated.

“Because it kinda sucks,” Jacob muttered.

“What does?”

“Having ghost fights all over town.”

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“Then why did you make the comics in the first place?” Chelsea wondered.

“Well, it was cool at first. Y’know, having a local superhero and all that. But, over time, the reality of constant fighting kicked in.”

“What reality is that?”

Jacob winced. “Destruction.”

Chelsea’s mouth hung open. After a moment, she said, “Oh.”

“Yeah,” Jacob said.

They were quiet for a time, then he glared at her. “You never told me the truth about how you found out.”

“Yes, I did.”

“No, you didn’t. Come on, spill.”

Chelsea bit her lip, thinking. Phantom had told her to keep it a secret, but this was Jacob, her best friend! Surely he could be trusted.

She sighed. “Alright, I’ll tell you. But you can’t tell anyone else!”

“Who would I tell?”

“I don’t know. Maybe Jimmy and Jo?”

“Cross my heart, I won’t tell them,” Jacob said, making the action.

Chelsea sighed again, preparing herself. “Don’t freak out.”

“Why would I–”

“Ghost time!”

The transformation rings swept over her body, leaving her in her ghost form. Jacob’s eyes went wide. Chelsea didn’t move from her wheelchair, letting him take it all in.

“You–you–you’re a…” Jacob cocked his head. “What are you?”

“Phantom called me a halfa,” Chelsea said. “Half a ghost, half a human. And look.” Carefully, she stood up out of her chair, wobbling. She managed to stand for two seconds and then had to sit back down.

“You can stand?” Jacob said in awe.

“A little. I think with practice, I’ll be able to walk. For now, it’s easier to fly.”

“You can fly?”

Chelsea giggled. “Yup! It’s so amazing!”

“So, then, do you have ghost powers?” Jacob asked enthusiastically. “Like ectoblasts?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t tried.” Chelsea transformed back into a human.

“Well, obviously you have some, if you can fly. Can you go invisible? Intangible?”

Chelsea giggled again. The two of them talked about ghosts for hours until it was time for dinner. She reminded him to keep the secret, and he promised he would.